Ministry of Sound

We Interview: Marc Vedo

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

We caught up exclusively with Marc Vedo before he takes on our 103 decks tomorrow night for a Stealth Records takeover.

Your current single ‘Freak Out/Deep In Turin’ is your first release under the Stealth brand and Roger and the team have put their full support behind you and your music. What was your inspiration behind the track and how has the feedback been so far?

I have to say that Stealth have surpassed my expectations with their continued support and have been fantastic from the very start. I am very impressed!! The reaction to the tracks has also been great, both have received great support from DJs around the world, especially Roger Sanchez. "Freak Out" seems to have really touched a nerve and has stayed in the Top 20 Beatport chart for nearly two months, completely surpassing all my expectations. I actually can't remember what the inspiration for these tracks was to be honest but inspiration sometimes comes from a whole range of ideas as diverse as a classic song I hear on the radio which has a little hook that I think sounds great, and that's all you need to start developing a track.

Joining Roger for the Stealth party on May 25^th you’re playing in the 103 room alongside My Digital Enemy and Igor Project. Checking your current release schedule you have a new record out on Zulu Records (My Digital Enemy’s label) which sees you teaming once again up with Boy George. Tell us more about this release and how it came about?

This track was actually released a few years ago on my other label VG records, co-owed with Boy George, and under an alias we created called Funkysober. After discussing it with everyone involved, we decided to release it under our own names and re-recorded the vocal with Sharlene Hector from Basement Jaxx, changed the music completely and released it with Zulu Records. My Digital Enemy have done a great remix and its already doing very well in the beatport charts! I think its currently around N30 in the charts so another strong follow up to my Stealth releases

You and George seem to have a close working relationship. How is it working with such a revered music star? Do you have any interesting stories to tell?

I love working with George, we have a great connection and we are best friends so when you work with your best friend it usually means great times, although we do annoy each other sometimes. Because I have known him for so long, I don't really see him as a revered music star just George. Off course I understand that he is an iconic figure within the music industry and still one of the most successful DJs in the world but when you work with someone every day for 12 years, all those things go out of the window and its the connection you have with that person on a personal level, not past history. I spend a huge amount of time with him, we go on holiday together with our families and travel the world on Tour, my wife calls him "wife N2"...haha. I have loads of interesting stories to tell but I am never going to tell them to you....honestly? Lol...We were both djing in Canada last for a massive New Years eve event in Quebec City, it was snowing, it was -15% and our DJ booth was outside and made out of ice. 25 000 people were going crazy in the snow, it was such a surreal experience!! We both really struggled mixing because of the cold and at one point I couldn't feel anything I was doing with my fingers. It was like DJing in the freezer for 1 hour!!

As well as legends like George and Roger supporting your music, other heavyweight artists in Pete Tong, Maceo Plex, Faithless (Sister Bliss) and Chris Lake have all given your music their seal of approval. How does it feel having such strong support for your releases from guys like this?

It actually gives me confidence in what I am doing and makes me strive harder to make the next track even better than the last one. If these top names are playing your music, it means your music is being played all over the world in clubs and on radio stations so for me that's a fantastic sign and makes me very proud.

Who would be your dream collaboration? And what do you think you would bring to the partnership?

I would love to collaborate with some of my favourite producers in the industry like Disclosure, Roger Sanchez, David Penn, Dusky, Maceo Plex. Everyone has their unique take on music and I think collaborations are all about bringing your own style to the table.

What’s you approach to producing a track, do you tend to start with a sample and reprocess this, is it a synth hook or do you start with percussion and build from there?

I don't necessarily have a strict way of working on a track, it really depends on so many factors. Sometimes I start a track from the middle, and work backwards, meaning I will start with the breakdown, build a main riff and then start finding the music to go with this. Other times I will start with the drums and build a track up this way although all of this depends whether or not you have a vocal already in place, or you doing a track with vocal in mind. I think being flexible and starting in different ways allows you to keep the music fresh and interesting so your productions always sound interesting and fresh!

Having been part of the scene since the mid-90’s your sound has changed quite a lot from trance and progressive to EDM and house music. How do you feel this has evolved you as a producer and can we expect an artist album in the future which brings to the table all of this knowledge?

I would love to do an album!! I have this burning desire to put all this knowledge down into an album which would allow me to express my musical tastes to the max but the main problem is time. Finding the time to do it would mean I would have to stop touring and releasing individual singles, which for me is hard as I love going on the road. You always find that artists doing albums go underground for months at a time, then pop back on the scene with an album and start their touring again. I understand and get why, but I am not sure if I could personally do that myself as I love playing in clubs/ Festivals and would get withdrawal symptoms. With regard to my sound, this has definitely changed over the years but the one main thing that has always been in my life is house music. Even back in the 90's when I used to play for big brands like Miss Moneypennies and Ministry on their house nights, on the same week I would play trance for big brands like God's Kitchen or Gatecrasher as well. I think with age my sound has matured and slowed down and I have a better appreciation for music and structure. I don't want to play music at high octane all the way through my sets, I much prefer to build my sets smoothly from deep house to tech house.

Being a deep house DJ, where do you stand ideologically, Chicago or Detroit?

Well, I wouldn't class myself exclusively as a Deep house DJ. I love deep house but my sets are all about mixing deep house, house and tech house. Detroit has always been about techno for me so definitely Chicago!!

What are your views on the use of technology by DJs today, specifically the “synch” option now available to laptop DJs and has recently turned up as a feature on the new pioneer CDJs?

The synch button is a good and a bad thing in my opinion. My biggest worry with the synch button and certain laptop DJ's is that they don't actually need to learn how to beat match and never will!! This is such a crime and your missing the essence of being a DJ- skilfully mixing great music. With the synch button "on", a monkey could press play on a CD player and drop all the latest David Guetta hits in a commercial club in Vegas and get everyone jumping like a bunch of chimps, but playing great music that is not tried and tested on a commercial radio station, being able to read the crowd and seamlessly blending music to keep the dance floor jumping is an art form that should never be forgotten and a skill that all DJs should strive to achieve. I learnt how to play on technics 1200's in the 90's and you were highly respected as a DJ if you could mix seamlessly because of the skill involved in beat matching. My first ever major article was in Mixmag and was all about my mixing ability being compared to Sasha, who at the time was one of the most respected DJ's in the world at beat matching. For me this was a huge honour and something I had worked really hard at perfecting from the very start. I don't think DJ's today set out with these mind sets as they don't need to but I just need to point out that if you play with CDJ's and you don't use the synch button, you still need to beat match and you can still screw up a mix. Only a couple of weeks ago I heard some awful mixing on CDJ's so even with all the technology advancements right now, you cannot hide poor skill. If you DJ with a laptop and use the synch button throughout the entire time then you might as well make a cd at home and play it instead, what's the point otherwise? The synch bottom on the new CDJ2000 nexus for me is a great additional tool to add to all the other tools available to DJ's today, but it shouldn't be used out of laziness, the same with laptops.

Looking at your background you have had incredibly packed tour schedule over the years, what has been your favourite event/destination/club to play?

My favourite places to play in the world have always been around Asia or in Canada but last year all of this changed with my residency at La Troya in Amnesia, Ibiza. Terrace in Amnesia is by far my favourite place in the world right now and La Troya party is so out there, its what all clubs should look like. I love it.

Who are you tipping to come good this summer?

I am really loving the sounds of Dusky right now. Very well produced house music which I think could easily cross over and become a big hit!

What do you still want to achieve in your career?

I would love to release an album as I mentioned before, continue the work in the studio and collaborate with more artists, develop the Koolwaters Recordings label, expand my management company to take on more artists and continue running our Koolwaters parties all over the world. I have always been interested in creating my own electronic music band, something similar to The Prodigy, Groove Armada, Underworld but first I would like to reach a certain point in my career before I do something like this.

Check out Marc Vedo's exclusive mix, only for Ministry of Sound

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS TO RELEASE YOURSELF WITH ROGER SANCHEZ TOMORROW NIGHT 25.05.13

Roger Sanchez G+ Hangout

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

If you missed our G+ Hangout with Roger Sanchez, watch it back below! Roll on Saturday night :)

Ministry of Sound Tours: Addicted To Bass 2013 at Mayhem with DJ Wire

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

After Danny Howard helped us throw one massive party with the Clubbers Guide 2013 tour we’re coming back to Mayhem, Southend and bringing along bass, bass and even more BASS.

But, we can’t do this alone! We’ve recruited Example’s on tour DJ/producer DJ Wire to take our Addicted To Bass tour at the helm this Sunday 26^th May. Starting out in UK Grime pirate radio, Sam Wire (as he’s also know) crossed over to Drum & Bass to team up with legends Chase & Status and helped set up and run MTA records – known for Nero’s number 1 album ‘Welcome Reality’.

Check out DJ Wire’s remix of Example’s ‘Close Enemies’

Click here for tickets

The Gallery Club: Aly & Fila + Giuseppe Ottaviani 24.05.13

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

After stunning London performances last year at Ministry and SW4, fans have been clamouring for the return of these Egyptian powerhouses. With their uplifting trance and energetic sound this refined combination always leaves The Gallery faithful screaming for more. The mass chorus of ‘We Control The Sunlight,’ provides that memorable moment that is hard to come by with any other artist in this genre. Consolidating their position at #19 in the DJ Mag Top 100, the famous ‘Future Sound Of Egypt’ radio show is fast approaching a celebration of 300 sun kissed episodes. Prepare to reach for the lasers…

Check out Aly & Fila’s previous Gallery visit below…

Filmed in the hallowed Ministry booth, watch this in depth insight into Giuseppe Ottaviani’s awe inspiring LIVE show, as narrated by the man himself. Expect laptops, keyboards, and MIDI controllers – connected by a galore of cables!

Prepare to embrace all the shades of ‘Magenta,’ as Giuseppe’s second solo album gets the LIVE treatment on Friday. Four years in the making, this highly anticipated follow-up is primed to colour your mind. Pre-order on iTunes or CD.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS TO THE GALLERY PRESENTS ALY & FILA 24.05.13

#mosmoments competition: full terms and conditions

Sun, 19 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

#mosmoments Competition Terms and Conditions

These official competition rules govern your participation in the #mosmoments competition (the “Competition”) run by Ministry Of Sound Group Limited.

Ministry of Sound Group Limited ("MOS") a company registered in England and Wales with registration number 032996686 and registered office at 103 Gaunt Street, London, SE1 6DP, United Kingdom.

Participation in this Competition by tweeting your photo of your favourite memory from a night out at the Ministry of Sound nightclub to @ministryofsound using the hashtag #mosmoments constitutes your full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these official Competition rules.

1.   This Competition is open to residents in the UK only.
2.   Only persons who are at least eighteen (18) years old are eligible to enter the Competition.
3.   Any person who is an employee of MOS or an immediate family member of an employee of MOS or any other person who is directly connected with MOS, being any advertising promotion agency or supplier of the prize for this Competition, shall be ineligible to enter.
4.   The Competition opens 12:00 (UK time), Monday 20th May 2013 and closes on 23:59 (UK time), Monday 1st July 2013.
5.   You are responsible for all internet and all other costs incurred by you in submitting your entry to the Competition.
6.   In order to participate in the Competition you must tweet your photo of your favourite memory from a night out at the Ministry of Sound nightclub to @ministryofsound using the hashtag #mosmoments. The photo must not contain any nudity, indecent images or any offensive or defamatory material. Your photo must comply with these terms and conditions.
7.   Any photograph submitted that does not comply with these terms and conditions may be removed from the @ministryofsound twitter page.
8.   By entering the Competition you agree that any entry you submit may be used by MoS and their selected sub-licensees for MoS for use on the Competition pages and for marketing and promotional purposes in perpetuity, throughout the world in any and all media whether now known or hereafter invented without further remuneration (“Permitted Purposes”) (but for the avoidance of doubt MoS shall not be obliged to make any use of your photo).
9.   You hereby waive and agree not to assert (and warrant that all individuals featured have waived and agreed not to assert) any moral rights in and in connection with your entry.
10.   You agree to do such other things and execute such other documents as are reasonably requested of you by MoS in order to allow MoS to use your entry for the Permitted Purposes.
11.   MoS reserve the right to pass on any images which cause it concern to the relevant authorities.
12.   You may enter the Competition only once. By entering, you agree to be bound by MOS’s selection process which will be in the absolute discretion of MOS’s judges.
13.   You warrant and undertake that:
i.   you meet the entry requirements for the Competition in question as specified in these terms and conditions and on the
Competition page;
ii.   you are the legal and beneficial owner of all intellectual property rights in your entry (including all images and text submitted by you as part of the entry process), that your entry is your own original work and does not infringe any third party rights;
iii.   you have obtained all relevant rights and written permission from individuals featured in your entry, and that your entry does not feature anyone under the age of 12;
iv.   your entry does not infringe English law;
v.   you confirm that MOS shall have the right to use your name and likeness in connection with the entry and the promotion of the Competition; and
vi.   you shall fully and effectually indemnify MOS in respect of any breach of your warranties, obligations or representations made herein together with MOS’s reasonable legal costs.
14.   After the closing date specified in theses terms and conditions, the Club Team at MOS will chose one winner by selecting what they think is the best picture of a favourite night out at the Ministry of Sound nightclub from the participants who submitted a valid entry to the Competition.
15.   The MOS judges’ decision will be in their absolute discretion and it shall be final and binding in all regards and no correspondence shall be entered into.
16.   The winner will be notified via Twitter within seven (7) days from the Competition end date as specified in the Competition page which is available at www.ministryofsound.com/mosmoments. If a winner cannot be contacted within twenty-four (24) hours of first notification attempt, or in the event that an original winner transpires to have breached these official Competition rules, MOS judges may chose another winner in their absolute discretion.
17.   The name of the winner will be available on request.
18.   There will be one winner and the prize shall be:
i.   VIP tickets for the winner plus three guests to a Ministry of Sound club night of your choice;
ii.   Accommodation for the winner plus three guests in a four star London hotel for one night;
iii.   Transport between the hotel and Ministry of Sound (there and back); and
iv.   The winner’s own #mosmoment photos captured on the night by a professional photographer.
19.   The selection of the club night and the accommodation are subject to availability. The accommodation will be at MoS’ discretion. You must give MoS at least 21 days notice of your preferred club night. The club night of your choice is subject to availability and change.
20.   The prize allows you to share it with 3 friends. You shall also provide the full name and surname of the persons with whom you will share such prize. Your guests must be at least eighteen (18) years old.
21.   The prize is non-transferable. MOS does not make any warranty about the prize and there shall be no substitution or cash redemptions for the prize. MOS further reserves the right to substitute the prize at any time to a value it deems appropriate.
22.   If, for reasons beyond the control of MOS (including, but not limited to, tampering or computer virus infection or rights issues), the Competition is not capable of running as originally planned, MOS at its sole discretion, reserves the right to cancel or modify the Competition without liability. If a sufficient number of eligible entries (as determined by MOS in its sole discretion) are not received by the closing date, MOS reserves the right not to award a prize. All taxes levied on a prize awarded in a Competition, if any, (including, but not limited to, income taxes) are the sole responsibility of the winner. All entrants agree to comply fully with each provision in these official Competition rules.
23.   Any person attempting to defraud or in any way tamper with the Competition and any person who does not comply with these official Competition rules, will be ineligible for a prize and may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
24.   MOS shall not be liable for losses or injuries of any kind resulting from (but not limited to):
i.   acceptance/possession and/or use/misuse of a prize/loss or damage to a prize during delivery to the winner or the winner’s guests;
ii.   participation in the Competition;
iii.   attendance at the accommodation or travel to and from the Ministry of Sound venue;
iv.   individual, joint or collective technical malfunctions of the telephone network and/or transmission line, internet connections, computer equipment, hardware and/or software;
v.   any delay or distortion of an entry resulting from data transmissions that are garbled, incomplete, misdirected, lost, mutilated, delayed, corrupted, mechanically duplicated, illegible or otherwise not in compliance with these official Competition rules. MOS shall not be liable for damage to your computer (including, without limitation, any server failure or lost, delayed or corrupted data or other malfunction) due, either directly or indirectly, to your participation in a Competition or downloading of information in connection with the Competition.
vi.   MOS reserves the right to modify or cancel the Competition in the event that any portion of any website used to administer any aspect of a Competition becomes technically corrupted.
25.   The winner and their guests shall be solely responsible for their travel insurance (if any), travel to and from the hotel , any food or subsistence and their ability to provide a valid ID proving that they are aged eighteen (18) or above.
26.   The Competition, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with it (including the prize), shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and you irrevocably agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any such dispute or claim..
27.   MOS is the sole organiser of the Competition and no third party is involved in the administration and/or running of the same.
28.   For the names of the winner, please visit the relevant Competition page. Copies of these official Competition rules and the official Competition pages may be obtained by sending an e-mail to clubenquiries@ministryofsound.com. Questions regarding the Competition can be directed by email to: clubenquiries@ministryofsound.com.

G+ Hangout with Roger Sanchez: Thursday 23rd May

Sun, 19 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

Ahead of his mighty return to the Box on May 25th don’t miss your chance to hangout with Roger Sanchez! Your chance to ask him anything!! #ASKROGER

We Interview: My Digital Enemy

Sun, 19 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

In 2006, Serg and Kieron of My Digital Enemy took off running, tearing up the House music charts with their remixes and original tracks topping the Beatport chart. With the launch of their own imprint, Zulu Records, My Digital Enemy is ready to take off this year!

We caught up with the guys before they make their Saturday debut, headlining the 103 on Saturday night

Hi guys! Give us a quick update on what My Digital Enemy has been up to in 2013 so far...

Well we have been pretty busy; we’ve had two top ten hits in the Beatport house chart so far ‘Hear No Evil’ number 6 and ‘My Lips Remix’ number 2! We have also played in Miami, Toronto, Moscow, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Portugal, London and loads more to come yet!

You guys are playing Release Yourself at Ministry Of Sound on May 25th; you’ve got to be excited for that, have you ever played at Ministry Of Sound before?

Yeah, we are really excited! We met Roger and the stealth guys at Miami and have just released a track with them so this how it all came about. We have played Ministry many times on the Friday for The Gallery, but this will be the first time on a Saturday!

You’re going to be playing on the same bill as the legendary Roger Sanchez, that must be pretty amazing?

We really like Stealth and Roger’s stuff! Come to mention it we have just done a guest mix for him on his Release Yourself show which was an absolute honour!

Anything else in the pipeline that you can tell us about?

Well we have tracks planned for release on Toolroom, Great Stuff, Stealth and our own label Zulu. We also have collaborations with Prok & Fitch, Jason Chance and Jerome Robins. Plus more gigs in Miami, Dublin, Mauritius and Thailand just to name a few!

Then again you two aren’t strangers with working with big names are you? You’ve just released a track alongside A Boy Called George, Marc Vedo and 8 Ball, can you tell us a bit about that? How did it come about?

Marc approached our label Zulu Records and we both really liked the track so we signed it and did our remix! It’s out now by the way!

What we can expect from My Digital Enemy at Release Yourself?

Plenty of new material from us as well as some classics but all round uplifting house!!!

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS TO RELEASE YOURSELF WITH ROGER SANCHEZ ON SATURDAY 25TH MAY

Share your #mosments with us to win the ultimate club VIP experience!

Sun, 19 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

To celebrate the launch of our new London Underground Tube poster campaign, we're giving you the chance to win the ultimate club VIP experience!

To enter, simply tweet your best #mosmoments photo - your favourite moment from Ministry of Sound club - to @ministryofsound using the hashtag #mosmoments. The best photo entry will win the following prize package:

VIP tickets for you + 3 to a Ministry of Sound club night of your choice
Accommodation for you + 3 in a top London hotel for 1 night
Transport from the hotel to and from Ministry of Sound
Your own #mosmoments photos captured on the night by a professional photographer
A Ministry of Sound goodie bag

To see all the entries and for full details, visit www.ministryofsound.com/mosmoments.

Good luck - we can't wait for you to share your #mosmoments with us!

Click here for full terms and conditions.

Important announcement re: the lineup for Saturday 18th May

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Clubbers,

We regret to announce that Fedde Le Grand will not be playing at the Club on Saturday 18th May. Fedde’s team contacted us today to announce that he has an issue with his ears that has become such cause for concern that he is unable to fly, and is therefore unable to travel to London to play at Ministry of Sound.

We are deeply sorry and disappointed to hear this news; however we wish Fedde a speedy recovery and hope to see him play again at the club very soon.

Fedde sent us this statement:

Hi guys,

I'm really really sorry I can't make it out to my shows this weekend :( My ears are killing me and I need to stay away from airplanes for at least a few more days.

Luckily the doc says afterwards it will be all good again and I probably can make it out to my gig in Holland next weekend. Unfortunately you guys aren't helped with that.

I promise I'll make it up to you in my next set rocking the daylight out of it!!!

I am really gutted not to play. But I'm sure you all will still have an awesome night with Jewelz & Scott Sparks,Patric La Funk and Tim Mason. Say hi to them for me and Tweet me your pictures so I still get to be there just a little....

Love, Fedde

*******

We hope that you will still come and party with us on the night. We have added Tim Mason (Size Records) and Patric La Funk to the line up alongside Jewlz and Scott Sparks and Nathan C in the Box.

Tim Mason is one of Steve Angello’s favourite producers and a regular at Size Matters events across the world! Ministry of Sound caught up with Mason earlier this morning and he both offered his support to Fedde and his excitement at playing; “sorry to hear Fedde had to drop out so late but glad I can make it over and help out. From my experience the unexpected nights are always the best ones! See you down the front.”

Listen to Tim Mason’s “The Moment”

Joining Tim Mason in the Box is one of Fedde’s favourite producers Patric Le Funk who co-produced one of Flamingo Records biggest tunes to date! "I am really excited to be added to the bill for Ministry of Sound again. Last time at Ministry Fedde and me played back2back. It was off the hook. I am very much looking forward to Saturday!"

Listen to Fedde Le Grand and Patric La Funk – Auto Save (Flamingo Records)

We are excited for the change in the line up, and we hope you will join us in the fun on Saturday night!

See you there ;)

If you have any further questions regarding this matter then please email:

clubenquiries@ministryofsound.com and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Saturday 18th May

Box:

With Special Guests:
Tim Mason (Size Records)

Patric La Funk (Flamingo)

Jewelz & Scott Sparks

Nathan C

Have A Laugh For Charity Wednesday 5th June

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

Come down to Ministry of Sound on Wednesday 5^th June for a different type of takeover! Councillor Neil Coyle has organised a comedy fundraiser for the Evelina Children’s Hospital, a charity we are fully behind to support!

Headlined by comedy award winning Shazia Mirza (Have I Got News For You) who William Cook at The Guardian suggests: “Her laconic one-liners represent something quite unique in modern comedy." Plus Dom Joly & David Tennant co-star Tiffany Stevenson, rated 4 stars by One4Review and who The Independent call “one of the top 10 comedians in the country” along with Mock The Week and Never Mind The Buzzcocks veteran Ian Stone for– definitely one show you do not want to miss.

With your compere Tiernan Douieb and musical from double act Brian Damage & Krysstal, we’re very honoured to be a part of such a great night with all proceeds going to Evelina Children’s Hospital.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS TO HAVE A LAUGH FOR CHARITY WEDNESDAY 5TH JUNE